AWNBA analyst has stepped up to defend Angel Reese amid the heated debate over her on-court trash talk against Sabrina Ionescu, insisting that women’s basketball deserves the same competitive fire as the men’s game.
The Chicago Sky forward, known for her unapologetic attitude and fierce competitiveness, sparked controversy when she was caught on a mic saying, “Sabrina can’t f*cking guard!” during a January 31st game between Phantom BC and Rose BC in the Unrivaled league.
The remark sent social media into a frenzy, with fans debating whether Reese had crossed the line. However, analyst Rachel Annamarie DeMita has dismissed the outrage saying trash talk is a normal part of the game-especially when it happens in real-time.
“It would be different if Angel was just tweeting, ‘Sabrina can’t guard me,’ but this was in the middle of a game,” DeMita argued. “People need to let these women compete the way we allow men to.”
Ionescu understands it
Indeed, NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, and Kevin Durant have built their legacies on intense trash talk, often using it as a weapon to gain a mental edge over opponents. Yet, when Reese-a dominant force in the WNBA-does the same, she faces criticism that male athletes rarely encounter.
But the biggest twist? Ionescu herself wasn’t fazed in the slightest. When asked about Reese’s comments during NBA All-Star weekend, the New York Liberty star brushed off the controversy, responding with pure professionalism.
“Oh, that’s fine. I mean, that’s just basketball. I don’t mind it. It’s part of our sport,” Ionescu said, adding that trash talk is common in every major league, whether it’s the NBA, NFL, or elsewhere.
Angel is getting the hang of 3-on-3
Despite the backlash, Reese has remained focused on proving herself on the court. In her latest Unrivaled game, she dominated with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, leading her team to a fifth consecutive win.
While the debate over trash talk in women’s sports rages on, one thing is clear: Reese isn’t backing down, and she’s got the stats to back it up.
Read the full article here
